Ch-ch-ch Changes

What a week it has been. The past 7 days have been filled with to the brim with changes. “My cup runneth over” takes on a whole new meaning for me. My cup is running over, and I can’t find the turn off valve, and I don’t have enough towels to soak everything up! I have had no choice, but to wade around in it.
     Last Tuesday marked the last morning I woke up in my old home. It marked the last time I got ready in my old bathroom. I really liked the duplex. It was our first home that we lived in only as married people. It was the first home that Dotty knew us and our family together. It was a good place for James and I to be together, and in our own space all at the same time.
     Last Wednesday, the JorMats (pictured) left the state and the lower 48. They started their world adventure. You can read about their adventure on Eva’s blog. I suggest starting on the 1st page. It explains why it’s called The Long Way to Kansas. (I came up with the name.)
     Last Thursday and Friday were days to get all the odds and ends into boxes to get ready for Saturday.
Saturday was moving day! 7:45 the door bell rang and in an instant (actually 1.5 hours) all of our worldly possessions were in a truck and on the move. I am so glad that we hired movers. I think we would still be moving (instead of still unpacking) if it wouldn’t have been for them. Saturday night James had a back spasm, so he was down for Sunday cleaning!
     Sunday I spent 6 hours and two trips to get the last of our stuff & dirt out of 6201 Parkwood Drive. I could have used the help, but I did have a good time. Here’s why. I had time to think and meditate. During my cleaning I was sort of in prayer. Prayer for the next steps in my life, and in our life. Prayer for the JorMats that they are safe and careful, and full of adventure and that they come back to me. Prayer for the new family that will live where we have lived and grown for the past three years. I was tired yesterday morning when I got up, but I am home. (Home, home on the range, where the dogs and the kitty cats play. Home, home on the range…)
     It isn’t as strange as you'd think to be renting your parents house. As a kid I only lived here for 3 months (the summer before I went to school in San Angelo), so this has really never been my home. I have visited a lot over the past 12 years, but with addition of my furniture and things it looks like my home now. Slowly, I will feel more and more like home here.
     I am on an adventure too. James and I have goals too. James and I are striving for adventures that will keep us here for now, but may take us away. I am proud of my family. I am proud that we are all in it for each other.

It Just Is

Itinerant. Traveling from place to place. Covering a circuit.

I am a woman, a daughter, a wife, a friend, a leader, and a United Methodist Christian.  I am all of those things at the same time.  I try to cover my circuit with grace.  I love being a part of a denomination that celebrates all the roles that I have.  I love that I am encouraged to be a better woman, a better daughter, a better wife, of course a better christian, and a better leader.  All of these roles allow me to part of the definition of my congregation.

When you refer to a place, how do you do it?  That church on the corner of 2222 & Burnet Road is Heather's church?  The pumpkin church is John & Betty's church?  The church between HEB & Lamar middle school is Valarie's church?  These are all accurate definitions of the church that is my home.

In the United Methodist Church pastors are moved around.  I have heard that being a United Methodist pastor is like being a member of the military.  Once you answer the call to ordained ministry you serve at the direction of the Bishop.  What does that mean?  It means you go where you are told to go.

My husband grew up in a tradition that hired new pastors via application, so the way United Methodists get a new pastor is foreign.   In the UMC all the churches are connected and pastors are appointed by the bishop, as noted above.  This is not to say that congregations do not get some say in who they are pastored by, but change in pastorial leadership is inevitable when you are a United Methodist.

Today, I learned who I will be pastored by for the next season.  This will be the 5th pastor that I have had in the last 18 years.  I have been a member of the same church during these past 18 years.  When change comes about there is uncertainty in the unknown.

I have had a lot of uncertainty in the past few months, so what is something more?  I am sad that David will no longer be my pastor, but I am glad that he will still be my friend.  I am unsure about the future with Paul, but I am excited for the new perspective.

I hope that Paul & Elizabeth will be happy to be a part of the definition of St.John's United Methodist Church. They have subscribed to itinerantcy, and thus the rest of us United Methodists have as well.  This is not the first time I have thought of this concept, but good or bad; it just is.

If we all stay pretty & smart we should be good.

Muriel England

This past Sunday I had the honor of attending a memorial service for a long time member of my church.  Muriel was 91 when she passed away last Thursday. I can't remember when I first met Muriel, but I have a lot of memories.  One of her daughter's was the first person to know that James and I were going to be engaged. We ran into Susie while ring shopping.

Muriel had a granddaughter that lived in San Angelo, where I went to college.  Every time I came home from school I would see Muriel, and she would tell me that Valerie was waiting for my call.  I never called.  On Sunday I heard Valerie's husband, Neil, speak about Muriel (or Gigi as she was known), how much she was really loved by her whole family.  I finally introduced myself to them, and I wish that I would have called them way back when.

A few years Muriel moved to Sherman, Texas to be close to another one of her daughters.  I hope she knows that she was missed.  I hope that she knows that she is missed still.

Muriel, you are still Pretty & Smart in my book.

Its a New Year

There are many ways to welcome in the new year. There is the traditional and standard way on January 1st--also called the Gregorian Calendar.  It works, and gets everyone on the same page. 

Did you know the Chinese New Year just happened the same day as St. Valentine's Day?  We are now in the year of the Tiger.  There are 12 animals assigned to each year.  The animals cycle, so someone that is 12 years older than you has the same animal sign.  Last year was the year of the Ox.  James is an Ox. Next year will the the year of the Rabbit.  I am a Monkey. 

I had lunch in a Chinese food restaurant last week, and the place mats had the personality traits of people born in those years.  If you have an opportunity you should look up the year that you were born and your assigned animal.  Do the traits fit?  For James & me they fit us almost exactly.  There was just one trait per sign that was the exact opposite of how we behave.

Today is my 30th birthday.  I am starting my New Year today.  Today's date is 30/1 (just for me & my birthday twins- of course)  The last day of my year will be dated 30/365. 
As with any New Year the question of what I am going to be resolute to do or be is forefront in my mind.  Can I make New Year's Resolutions today?  (Yes, of course you can-- you are, after all, pretty AND smart!)

Resolution 1:  Don't yell.  I was once told that if I had a super power it would be my voice.  I could yell or scream you into submission. Certain members of my household have let me know that this is not my best attribute.
Resolution 2:  Be patient with my husband.  He is an Ox, and if you read the description you know that can be a mixed bag.
Resolution 3:  Call my dad at least once a week. I am a grown up now, and its really not important to keep the number of initial phone calls equal. 
Resolution 4:   Be mindful of others. I love to gossip!  Enough said.
Resolution 5:   Be mindful of and for myself.  There is a lot to do this year.  This list is long, and I have to keep up my strength, physically & mentally.

When does your New Year begin?  Are you going to resolve to anything new?

My Last Days at Work - Part II

Today was supposed to be my third last day at work.  I have been keeping a count down, and today was to be the day.  As noted in several past posts, I have been let go from the job I have had for the last two years. 

Two days ago the remaining loan center employees were called together and we were told that we would be done at 3:00 that day.  (There are only 5 people remaining in my old department & that number includes 3 managers.) That was Wednesday so, the way I see it is I got two days of vacation.  I wanted to put this post on the day that I have been counting down to.  I wanted this post to sit for a little while, so could process the early release.

As soon as the Big Boss called us all together I knew the words before she spoke them.  I wasn't sad.  I was RELIEVED!   It has been fifteen months.  Fifteen months ago the company's stock fell to an all time low.  Fourteen months ago half of the department was laid off.  Thirteen months ago we started the new year in high hopes.  Twelve months ago faith began to fade.  Six months ago the FDIC shut us down & the Spanish Overlords took over.  Five months ago we were offered severance.  One month ago we started to wrap up the good byes.  Really, we have been saying good-bye for one year and two months. 

I am glad that this downhill ride is finally over, but I want to tell you my friends that you all have enriched my life like no other.  I will miss eating lunch (and sometimes breakfast) everyday with you all.  Tea Time will be missed.

To you Andrea, Chantel, & Dee you all have become my sisters.  It took me a long time to know what it means to have and be a sister, so I hope you know how you all have impacted me. 

To Dan, Aaron & Omair, You all have been the best male friends I have ever had. Thank you for being my friends.  Thanks for the final Tea Time toast.  You guys rock!

My Last Days at Work - Part I

Have you ever had a last day at work?
I have been out of college for about 7 years, and I have been lucky enough to have always had a job. I have moved on from two (about to be three) jobs in my professional career.
My first last day of work was by my choice. I was really unhappy in with the environment that I worked in, and I really needed to get paid more. I put myself out there, and found another job in about a month. I knew that the day I put in my two weeks would be my last day, so I was prepared. My co-workers were a little perturbed that I was leaving, but none the less I went on.
My second last day of work was not by my choice. When they laid me off my boss let me work all day while she was waiting for the HR representative to show up. When the HR Rep finally showed up they called me in, and let me go. They stood over me while I cleared out my desk with tears streaming down. I didn’t want to face my husband. I really take my financial contribution to our household seriously. It really was a slap in my face, and it took me several months to gain my confidence back. If I had to sum up my second last day of work I would say it was awful.
I am soon approaching my third last day of work. The Spanish Overlords that has bought the company I work for has decided that my department has got to go. We were told about 4 months ago, and there was a target date. Now I have been given my sever date. February 19th is my third last day of work. I imagine it will be like the end of a long running sitcom.  You know that the characters will move on, but the audience will no longer be able to observe it. 
I have had a lot of time to be prepared, and I hope that the universe will let me be fruitful in my job search. The main point is that I know. I know that I will be leaving, and I won’t be finding out the day it happens. I am thankful that I have developed the friendships that I have. I am thankful that my managers have appreciated me. I am thankful that I won’t have any regrets about moving on from this place.
My future is bright, and the reason I know this is because I am pretty & smart.

I’m with Coco.

Are you Team Jay or Team Conan? I’m with Conan. I have been keeping track of this fine debate for the past several days, and I have decided that Conan is getting a raw deal. I will agree with several pundits ( I can’t believe that they are really debating this on “news” shows) in that the Late Night audience is not ready for Conan’s brand of humor, but I really enjoy him. I particularly love it when he adjusts his stance marionette-style, and who can deny that hair! (Conan- Don’t ever apologize for your perfect do!) NBC has totally denied Conan the opportunity to lead an institution of late night television. If Jay does go into the 11:35 (10:35) time slot he will just be competing with Stephen Colbert, and if comes down to Jay or Stephen I am team Stephen.

What is the lesson here? You are your own best advocate. In my experience as a working adult the best person to let your boss know how awesome you are is you. The best person to let your boss know how innovative & how much initiative you take is you. The best person to show you in your best light is you. Conan has put himself in his best light, by standing by what is important to him & saying, in a polite and courteous tone, “I am deciding what is best for me.”

I predict that NBC will do what they think is best for them (which is not what is best) and let Conan move along. Conan will undoubtedly not have any trouble finding another outlet, and so I wish him luck. Conan- Even though you are a guy I think you’re pretty & smart.

New Year, New ...

Over the past six months I have been following several blogs. Most of the blog reading that I do has been during work hours. I currently work for a bank that was taken over by the FDIC in August. I work in the "back office", and my department is totally relying on the connections that are made in the retail banks. There hasn't been a ton of work. How many of you would like to get a loan from a bank that was taken over by the government, and is now in the hands of Spanish Overlords? Apparently not a lot.

My job will be ending at the beginning of March (I hope we are around that long), and with the beginning of March comes the beginning of my thirties. I have been inspired by two particular friends (Road Warriorette & OnHilStreet) to start to record my thoughts on my surroundings in blog form. Hopefully, what I have to say will resonate with more than just my group of close friends.